River Drive, 'Dolly Peel'

1987 by B. Gofton. This is a statue of ciment-fondu and concrete. It depicts local nineteenth century heroine Dolly Peel, who helped men evade the press gangs. She was born in South Shields in 1782 and was known as a smuggler of brandy, tobacco, perfume and lace. She is said to have been one of the first 'nurses' to work in the cockpit of naval vessels. Dolly died in 1857. The inscription on the base says "stories and legends about her persist to this day". LOCAL LIST